Matthew 7:29

having authority He was Himself a lawgiver. His teaching was not a mere expansion of the old law. Much less did he confine himself to the words of any particular Rabbi.

the scribes Sopherim= either (1) "those who count;" because the Scribes counted each word and letter of the Scriptures; or (2) "those occupied with books." The Scribes, as an organized body, originated with Ezra, who was in a special sense the "Sopher" or Scribe. This order of Sopherim, strictly so called, terminated b. c. 300. Their successors in our Lord's time were usually termed Tanaim, "those who repeat, i. e. teach the Law." They are called "lawyers" (ch. Matthew 22:35; Luke 5:17; Acts 5:34), also "the wise," "Elders," and "Rabbis."

A scribe's education began as early as in his fifth year. At thirteen he became a "son of the precept," Bar-mitsvah. If deemed fit, he became a disciple. At thirty he was admitted as a teacher, having tablets and a key given him. See note, ch. Matthew 16:19. His functions were various; he transcribed the law (here the greatest accuracy was demanded); he expounded the law, always with reference to authority he acted as judge in family litigation, and was employed in drawing up various legal documents, such as marriage contracts, writings of divorce, etc. (See Kitto's Cycl. Bib. Lit.and Smith's Bib. Dict.art. Scribes.)

The alliance between Scribes and Pharisees was very close, each taught that the law could be interpreted, fenced round and aided by tradition, in opposition to the Sadducees, who adhered to the strict letter of the written law.